The Thistles In Sweden

In the early 1950's, the narrator lives with his wife, Margaret, on the top floor of a brownstone on 36th St. The apartment is beautifully furnished with heavy, Swedish linen curtains printed with thistles, old furniture from Margaret's family, and antiques they found together in the country where they also have a small house. Just after they were married, Margaret was offered a job with the "Partisan Review" but refused it because her schedule would conflict with her husband's Her days are lonely when they are in the city but she never tells her husband. They entertain frequently, and she paints delicate watercolor sketches. They try to have a child but can't. Tests are taken which show that nothing is wrong. Still, Margaret cannot become pregnant. Her husband is turned down by the Spence-Chapin adoption agency as being too old. A Chicago adoption agency tries to find them a child. While they are waiting, Margaret becomes pregnant. With many regrets, they decide to move out of their apartment to the country to raise their child.